12 



MINERALOGY GF THE OCHILS. 



Its general dip is to the south-east, and its di- 

 rection from north-east to south-west. 



IV. Limestone. 



In a quarry at the base of Park Hill, not far 

 from Bambriech Castle a saddle-shaped mass of 

 yellowish grey Limestone rests . between beds of 

 slate-clay and grey sandstone ; and above the new- 

 est sandstone, there is a bed of greenstone, the up- 

 per part of which is much decomposed. This 

 limestone varies from an earthy to a highly crys- 

 talline structure, resembling if not passing into 

 calcareous spar. 



This is the only instance throughout the whole 

 of the Ochils that I have seen limestone, although 

 I have been assured, that other portions of it have 

 been observed at a considerable elevation above the 

 village of Abernethy. On examining the situa- 

 tions to which I was referred, I could discover no tra- 

 ces of limestone ; from which I have been induced 

 to suspect, that the popular belief is unfounded. 



* Bambriech Castle stands on a promontory of red sand- 

 fitone, which runs a short way into the Tay, from its southern 

 bank, about three miles to the eastward of the small sea-port of 

 Newburgh. Immediately to the south of the castle, the Ochils 

 rise very rapidly, and receive different names. That of Park 

 Hill, is appropriated to the hill half way between Newburgi^ 

 and Bambriech. 



